Silence, Chapter 6

See Disclaimer in part I

Will felt the rush of the venom entering his system and his vision began to fade. He put his hands to the side of his head with a moan. It was too much too fast. He couldn't black out now. He fought to stay conscious.

****

Ashley reached Helen first. "Mom," she knelt down beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Mom, can you hear me?" Henry hovered anxiously nearby.

Helen opened her eyes and gazed blearily at her daughter. "Ashley." Her voice was weak. "What's happened?" Ashley noticed there was a swelling on Helen's cheek, and fingered it gingerly. She wiped the trickle of blood from Helen's mouth with the hem of her shirt.

"He hurt you, that's " Anger made Ashley's voice quaver.

Helen reached for her daughter. "Help me up." Henry and Ashley helped Helen to her feet. "We have to get out of here. Now." They each took one of Helen's arms and started toward the exit.

"Where's Will?" Ashley tried to see around Helen.

Henry looked up. "He was right behind us. Maybe he went back outside. Let's get her out of here."

As they moved toward the exit, Druitt appeared, blocking their path, idly smacking a lead pipe in his hand. "Oh, I can't let you leave just yet. I wouldn't hear of it."

Ashley raised her gun toward him. "We're leaving and you're not going to stop us, dad." The gun shook a little.

"John, you know you're reverting back to what you were. Let me help you," Helen pleaded.

Druitt advanced slowly as Ashley, Helen and Will backed up. "I don't need your help, Helen. In fact, I am becoming quite myself again. I have no quarrel with these two, they can go, but you, Helen, you are staying here with me."

A roar came from behind them. They turned to see Helen's manservant advancing on Druitt. Druitt chuckled and flashed from sight, only to appear behind the Big Guy, Druitt's fist protruding from the other's belly. The Big Guy made a strangled sound and collapsed on the floor. Helen and Ashley cried out and were immediately at his side.

Henry, to everyone's surprise, rushed Druitt, only to have Druitt turn on him, hitting him full-force with the pipe. Henry fell to the floor as well.

Ashley turned her gun on Druitt

Another roar rent the air. Ashley and Helen both gasped at what they saw. "Oh God, Will, no!" Helen looked at the creature Will had become in horror. Will glared at Druitt, growling low in his throat.

"What's this?" Druitt actually smiled. "Helen you've brought me a new toy." At this point Will rushed Druitt, who flashed out only to appear behind Ashley. He grabbed her gun away from her and before anyone could react he shot Will in the stomach.

Helen and Ashley cried out again, but Will didn't go down. He felt the impact of the bullet but there was no pain. In fact, he felt like there was lightning coursing through his veins. He felt powerful, invincible. He lowered his head and looked at the thin trickle of blood that ran from the wound. He raised his head slightly and gave Druitt an evil smile. Then he charged Druitt, but Druitt flashed out again. Will turned and ran toward Helen, determined to protect her. He wrapped an arm around her neck from behind and held her to him, preventing Druitt from grabbing her and flashing out again. "Helen," he ground out. "Mine! Mine!"

Druitt appeared again. "Why, Helen, do I have a rival for your affections? I simply cannot have that." Druitt flashed out and appeared behind Will, thrusting a hand through him as he had the Big Guy. Will roared. With Druitt's fist still inside him he managed to turn and throw Druitt away from him, forcing the arm and hand out of his body. Will made a sound like a wounded animal and went down on his knees. He fought to stay conscious. He had to protect Helen, that was his only focus.

Druitt slowly got to his feet and picked up Ashley's gun. When Helen knelt next to Will, John waved the gun at her. "Step away from him, Helen."

Helen was supporting Will. She shook her head. "No, John. Don't do this." Druitt moved the gun away from Will and toward Ashley, who had knelt next to the Big Guy. "You make the choice Helen. Is it your beloved creature or your daughter? You decide."

Will tried to rise and found he couldn't. His field of vision was becoming more narrow.

"She's your daughter, John. You'd kill her?" Helen had tears in her eyes.

"Don't make me. Move away from him, and your daughter lives."

Will was growling with each breath. He made Helen's choice for her. "No, Helen." He pushed her away from him with all his might.

"Let's see if you shake this off, boy." Druitt put the gun against Will's head as Will tried to struggle to his feet. This couldn't happen. Druitt was going to win, he was going to take Helen.

Then something unexpected happened. With a growl, a brownish-gray blur attacked Druitt from the side, knocking him down and sliding across the floor with him. Will, barely conscious, heard Ashley cry out "Henry!" And then all went black.

****

Will awoke in the infirmary of the Sanctuary. He hurt everywhere. He turned his head slightly and saw Henry in a bed nearby, and the Big Guy in a bed beyond that. Both were out cold.

The door opened and Helen appeared. She didn't look happy. "Will, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Will tried to speak, but had to clear his throat a few times before he could get out any sound. "I hurt," was all he managed.

"Serves you right." What were you thinking pulling a stunt like that?"

"I wanted to protect you."

"I appreciate that, I really do, but believe me when I tell you," She pulled the empty epi pen from her pocket and held it up for him to see. "I'll be having a few words with Dr. Singh. Wexford, too, if I'm not mistaken."

Will grimaced. "I told them I'd keep them out of this."

"Too bad. They could have gotten you killed."

"What happened to Druitt?"

Helen glanced at the other bed. "After Henry attacked him, he disappeared. There's no way of knowing where he went. Or when." Her voice sounded a bit wistful.

Will reached over to take her hand. "I'm sorry."

Helen sniffled and squeezed his hand. "And so you should be, "she said sternly.

"Are Henry and the Big Guy going to be okay?" Will turned his head to look at both of them.

Helen looked over at them, too. "In time, yes. You, on the other hand, are undeservedly healing faster than normal thanks to your enhancements."

"Helen, I'm sorry it turned out the way it did, but I'm not sorry I did what I did. I told you I wouldn't let him hurt you and I meant it."

"Will," Helen leaned over him a bit to capture his attention. "I almost lost you. I almost lost all three of you. I'd never forgive myself if any of you died because of me. You have no idea what the aftermath in that warehouse was like. John was gone and you three were lying on the floor unconscious, injured, dying. I've never been so scared in my life. And that's saying something."

"How did you manage to get us back here?"

"Ashley called Ernie and told him what had happened. He came immediately with some of his men and got you back to the Sanctuary." She huffed out a sigh. "Please Will, promise me you won't do anything like this again."

Will shook his head. "I won't be able to do this again. Dr. Singh said the last of the venom should leave my system in close to a week. It wouldn't work again."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know what you meant, but I can't promise you that. I won't stand by and let someone hurt you. I won't let anyone hurt Ashley, Henry or the Big Guy, either. You're my family now."

Helen smiled softly at him. "I'm glad to hear you say that, but I don't want to lose you, Will."

"I feel the same way. That's why I would do anything in my power to protect you. Especially you, Helen."

"Will…"

"No, I understand how you feel. But you have to understand how I feel."

Helen seemed about to say something, but instead patted his hand. "Get some sleep, all right?"

*****

Henry awoke a little while later. "So, Wolverine, how are you feeling?" Will greeted him.

Henry grinned weakly. "Well, Hulk, I hurt here and there, but I seem to be in one piece. You?"

"About the same. This is the second time you saved my ass, you know. In fact you saved all of us."

Henry looked uncomfortable with that. "Listen, dude…"

"If you're Wolverine, and you're the Hulk, what am I?" A low voice came from the other bed.

"Oh you're the Beast, for sure," Henry said.

The Big Guy grunted and turned over in the bed and went back to sleep. Henry and Will exchanged grins and prepared to do the same.

*****

A few days later, Will was released from the infirmary. He had healed almost completely, thanks to the scarab venom in his system. The fight club promoters had to have their fighters back in shape as soon as possible, he guessed, and the venom seemed to do that for them.

One night he had stayed up late reading. He was finally getting ready for bed when there was a tap at his door. He opened it to find Helen in her dressing gown. "Helen? Can't sleep?"

"Will, I…" she was obviously distressed, on the edge between staying and fleeing. He reached out and grabbed he wrist, pulling her into the room. "Helen, what's wrong?"

She had tears in her eyes. "Will, I almost lost you." Before he could react she kissed him. He pulled back for a moment in surprise, but recovered quickly. He murmured her name, then he was spearing his hands in her hair, kissing her back with all the emotion he'd been holding in check for so long.

After a few moments, she pulled back and away. "No. Will, I'm sorry this isn't fair to you." She wrapped her arms around herself and started for the door.

He stopped her with his hands on her arms. "Helen, wait." He turned her to face him. "I know your heart belongs to someone else, I know that. I'm the one who told you to go ahead and take advantage of me, remember? I meant that."

"Will…" He put a finger on her lips.

"No. I know where I stand, okay? I know my options and I don't care. It's enough to know you care for me. If this is all we can have, if this is the only way I can have you, then it's enough."

Helen reached up to cup the back of his head and kissed him again. "Will," she murmured. "Show me you're alive."

He pushed the robe from her shoulders, led her to his bed and proceeded to do just that.

Fin